What's On

by Willy Russell

Fri 6 Feb to Sat 7 Mar - PLAYHOUSE

Willy Russell’s award winning and inspiring play comes home in a new production directed by Gemma Bodinetz to celebrate its 35th anniversary. An intimate play of big ideas and with a joyful heart, Educating Rita has lost none of its bite. With Leanne Best and Con O’Neill.

An Open Clasp Theatre Company production in collaboration with Frantic Assembly

THU 5 MAR TO SAT 7 MAR - EVERYMAN

Jumping Puddles is a funny and moving story about two sisters fast-tracked to adulthood as they discover it's hard being a girl but harder still when faced with the harsh reality and fragility of life.

by William Gaminara

Mon 16 Mar to Sat 21 Mar - PLAYHOUSE

This uproarious new comedy offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of diplomacy in action, revealing what really went on between David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William in a Swiss hotel the night before England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

by William Shakespeare

Sat 21 Mar to Sat 18 Apr - EVERYMAN

The Everyman explodes once again with an inviting riot of mischief and wonder as Nick Bagnall delves deep into the darkness for his timeless interpretation on the delirium of love in Shakespeare’s most magical of comedies.

by David Hare

Tue 24 Mar to Sat 28 Mar - PLAYHOUSE

Headlong (1984, Spring Awakening at the Playhouse) presents a vigorous new production of David Hare’s funny, stinging political drama on a timely national tour during the build up to the 2015 General Election.

By Ella Carmen Greenhill - PLAYHOUSE STUDIO

Wed 8 Apr to Sat 11 Apr

Ella Carmen Greenhill’s moving and touchingly funny new play Plastic Figurines is a funny and heartfelt new play that explores autism and the relationship between siblings with very different views of the world.

Based on the characters created by Lauren Child Adapted by Jonathan Lloyd

Fri 10 to Sat 11 Apr

Charlie and Lola are completely excited to be back on stage with their Extremely New Play – and this time they’re bringing along Sizzles the Dog! If you liked Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play, you will love this extra special, brand new show.

Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff

Tue 14 Apr to Sat 18 Apr - PLAYHOUSE

Marking the 100th anniversary First World War, Birdsong is the hit, critically acclaimed stage show based on the world famous novel by Sebastian Faulks. A mesmerising story of love and courage, set both before and during the Great War.

by Graeae

Tue 21 to Sat 25 Apr - EVERYMAN

Graeae provides a platform for new generations of Deaf and disabled talent through the creation of trail-blazing theatre. David Ireland’s radical new take on Lorca’s play re-fuels this classic story with a contemporary twist.

by Out of Joint

Tue 21 Apr to Sat 25 Apr - PLAYHOUSE

This is the story of two Welsh names bruised, but not beaten, by media speculation; Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, 105 caps for Wales, once its captain, now the world’s most prominent gay sportsman; and his hometown, Bridgend. Out of Joint and National Theatre Wales team up to tell a great story about sport, politics, secrets, life and learning to be yourself.
***** The Times

by Northern Broadsides

Tue 28 Apr to Sat 2 May - PLAYHOUSE

If you’ve seen King Lear before, forget everything you know as Jonathan Miller brings his remarkable talent for detailed human observation to the play. Miller directs Barrie Rutter as Lear in Shakespeare’s tragedy about the aged king.

Continental Fistfight

Fri 1 May to Sat 2 May - EVERYMAN

The plastic-bag wearing, award-winning, musical comedy duo –responsible for YouTube sensation Horse Outside bring their brand new ‘musical’ to Liverpool. Packed with dazzling new songs, great big hits and at least one (celebrity) puppet.

Works by Christopher Bruce CBE, Sharon Watson & Caroline Finn

Thu 7 May - PLAYHOUSE

Mixed Programme 2015 features a double bill by one of the most influential figures in world dance, Christopher Bruce CBE including a brand new work, Shadows created by him especially for Phoenix Dance Theatre and a restaging of Shift.

by Nick Payne

Tue 19 May to Sat 23 May - PLAYHOUSE

One relationship. Infinite possibilities. A story of love, honey, and a quantum multiverse. Moment by moment, can everything you've ever and never done exist in the same vortex of reality? An explosive play about free will and friendship from Nick Payne.

by John Graham Davies

Thu 21 to Sat 23 May - EVERYMAN

The Miracle of Istanbul. Ten years on. Re-live the glory. In May 2005, despite threats from his wife and bank manager, middle-aged Kenny travels to Istanbul to watch Liverpool play AC Milan in the Champions’ League Final. Featuring Everyman favourite Paul Duckworth.

Presented by Northern Ballet

Sat 30 May - PLAYHOUSE

After the sell-out successes of Ugly Duckling and Three Little Pigs at the Playhouse, and the TV adaptations for CBeebies, Northern Ballet presents their latest ballet for children, Elves & the Shoemaker.

Conceived by Inua Ellams

Tue 2 Jun to Sat 6 Jun - EVERYMAN

Fresh poetry combined with contemporary movement celebrates the elegance and beauty of basketball. Seen from a British perspective, The Spalding Suite gets to the heart and soul of the gravity-defying game and delves into the hopes and dreams of those who play it.

Adapted for the stage by Simon Dormandy

Wed 3 Jun to Sat 27 Jun - PLAYHOUSE

Based on the Coen Brothers’ joyful, wise-cracking romantic comedy which helped establish them among the most entertaining and distinctive film-makers of our time, this timely take on corporate greed is a highly theatrical, inventively staged treat.

Adapted for the stage by Ron Hutchinson

Wed 1 Jul to Sat 25 Jul - EVERYMAN

Amidst the political tensions of 1950s America, Arthur Miller's The Hook was suppressed by the FBI for fear that it could cause unrest in New York's dockyards. Now, to mark the centenary of the great playwrights' birth, we have brought it to the stage for the first time in a new adaptation by Ron Hutchinson.